1947 Nov.-Dec. Chigorin Memorial, Moscow

1.Botvinnik 11/15
2.Ragozin 10.5
=3-4.Boleslavsky 10
=3-4.Smyslov 10
5.Kotov 9.5
=6-7.Keres 9
=6-7.Novotelnov 9
8.Pachman 8.5
9.Trifunovic 8
10.Gligoric 7.5
11.Bondarevsky 6.5
12.Kholmov 5.5
13.Kottnauer 5
=14-15.Sokolsky 4
=14-15.Plater 4
16.Zvetkov 2

the round before (the XIII°), BOTVINNIK lost a game against a 23 years old young czech player...

Botvinnik vs Pachman, 1947

at the beginning of the last but one XIV° round
(the above game's one), the first positons pairing was:

1.Botvinnik 9.5
2.Keres 9 <(!)>
=3-6.Ragozin 8.5
=3-6.Boleslavsky 8.5
=3-6.Smyslov 8.5
=3-6.Kotov 8.5
=7-8.Novotelnov 7.5
=7-8.Pachman 7.5
9.Trifunovic 7
etc......

Its worth of mention that at the XI° ROUND the pairing was:

1.Botvinnik 9
=2-4.Boleslavsky 7.5
=2-4.Keres 7.5
=2-4.Kotov7.5
etc...

SO, this basic match arrived at the KERES raising up's peak, and after an ugly BOT's rout.....

But After the XIV° ROUND's games, the pairing was:

1.Botvinnik 10.5
=2-3.Smyslov 9.5
=2-3.Ragozin 9.5
=4-6.Boleslavsky 9
=4-6.Kers 9
=4-6.Kotov 9
=7-8.Novotelnov 8
=7-8.Pachman 8
9.Trifunovic 7.5
etc....

And with a easy 13 moves last-round draw
Botvinnik vs P Trifunovic, 1947 BOTVINNIK ensured a solitary first place.

....IMO same BOT's notes about the pre-struggle are very interesting:...

<"My last inconter with KERES was about 7 years before, FLHOR adviced me, as i was black, to play for a draw, and then try to win the last game vs. TRIFUNOVIC by white. i decided otherwise> (!)<. On the eve of the AJA's competition, won this game was an important factor. in this way, My chances in the imminent World Championship-match were improved, as my principal competitor was awarded only like the SEMERINGEN-BADEN's 1937 and AVRO's 1938 great internationals tournaments winner....">

...TREMENDOUS!!!.... What an iron's will!...And what a TOTAL psychological war...

In the follow game against KERES, the first played in the 1948's WC tournament, BOT gave this comment: <"SO, finally we meet in Aja. After the 1948's Moscow game PAUL wasnt calm for shore.>(!)<..I decided for a complicate struggle..."> NO mention that BOTVINNIK won this game too.

Back to the Tchigorin memorial, After a demoralizating white-defeated (17.g5??) vs. PACHMAN, im shore the 99% players were planing for a draw against such a competitor like KERES....But BOT not!!... He (by Black) decided for a last-blood fight.... in the modern time i can think only KASPAROV could be considered so brave, not for nothing GAZZA was a MIKHAIL MOISEEVICH's pupile-disciple....

In other hands,We can see the caracterials difference between this two great players, considering the KERES reaction after this defeat... Novotelnov vs Keres, 1947
PAUL's play was very shy, the initiative was always in the NOVOTELNOV's hands...(a good, but not irrestible player...) and the last PAUL blunder (45...e8??) is sintomatic.

Thinking back to the (at that time) poor and depressed KERES, its understandable his terrific negative score vs. BOT. in those years....

BTW, To face a so implacable adversary OVER and OFF the board, wasnt so easy...

not only for PAUL PAVLOVIC!